Straightening panniers?

[MattW]

My GSA had an unintentional lie down while on holiday (only while stationary) and in addition to snapping and bending various screen fittings (going to have to buy a new upper screen support bar) I realised when I got home yesterday that the right hand pannier has deformed where it attaches to the mounting frames.

The thick stainless mounting plates with the hooks and the pannier shell itself have bent slightly so I think I'm going to have to remove the plates straighten them out and try to carefully beat the pannier back into shape. Drilling the stainless rivets out looks like it might be interesting and I haven't got the tools to replace them so I think I'll use some small stainless dome head screws / nuts.

Anyone successfully done this type of thing before? Any tips gratefully received

 

[Smug]

What make are they? You might be able to send them back and get them straightened if they are UK made.

 

[MattW]

What make are they? You might be able to send them back and get them straightened if they are UK made.

OEM GSA panniers

 

[Smug]

You could use bits of 4x2 inside and outside, with G cramps to pull it back into shape without taking it apart.

 

[Bendy toy]

Take it to a classic car body panel specialist. They will have tools to straighten it.

 

[mikeyboy]

I recently stripped a set of these boxes to have them powder coated,the rivets are not that hard but you will need a tungsten carbide drill bit or similar,as you stated the brackets can be refitted with stainless bolts and nylock nuts

 

[bisbee]

A cobalt drill is the thing for stainless

 

[MattW]

I shall be needing to buy a cobalt drill - all my stuff is normal HSS.

Thanks for the advice everyone

 

[Bendy toy]

HSS will just burnish stainless. The metal is tough and work hardens under the drill bit. Carbide tipped or cobalt are the best option.
When the brackets are off you could cut some thick birch plywood (the stuff made with many thin sheets). A sheet inside and another outside bolted together through the bracket rivet holes.
But anyone with genuine panel beating skills should be able to straighten the box.

 

[MattW]

Going to call into Axminster tools tomorrow and get hold of a cobalt drill set (not sure exactly what size I'll need to drill out the rivets, so might as well get a set).

I'll probably just knock the panniers back into shape myself - the good thing is that the damage is all on the inner face so is hidden from view.

 

[autogs]

i recently cut down on offside pannier to use as a top box,to allow more room behind riders seat for a blood box platform,i drilled out all the rivits with a normal drill bit

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

Is the finish scratched up or is it all still in good nick other than dented? If it's scratched up anyway grab a bar of soap and rub it on one side. Heat the other side until the soap goes black and let cool to touch. A blowtorch will do it and maybe a good hot air gun. Keep moving the heat around so as not to damage any one area. You will now be able to use your fingers and hands to bend it all back into shape as the aluminium is now soft. Repeat if it starts to work harden again. Depending on your heat source this is quite likely to damage the anodising.

Depending on how dented it is you might have to heat treat it anyway or risk cracking the alloy if it work hardens too much.